From sporting tests to concerts and events, One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha will host them all.

Christchurch is now home to a brand new, state-of-the-art, fully covered stadium. At $683 million, the Te Kaha Project was the largest ever undertaken by Christchurch City Council.

Construction started in April 2022, and the stadium was officially opened in March 2026. The first ticketed event, Super Rugby Pacific's Super Round, is taking place Anzac Weekend (24 - 26 April).

One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is set to add to the central city’s vitality, catalyse further development, help re-establish Christchurch as a sporting and cultural capital and boost the city’s economy by attracting visitors from around New Zealand and the world.

On 12 August 2021, Christchurch City Council approved the "Canterbury Multi-Use Arena" to house 30,000 seats, with a minimum 36,000 full capacity in concert mode, and have a U-shaped level 1 concourse with a 'stage pocket' located at the northern end of the arena. 

Geotechnical investigations took place on the site from 2018 and were completed in mid-2021.

The preliminary design and the gifted name, Te Kaha, were approved by the Council in January 2022, paving the way for the project team to proceed with the developed design as they work through the project's design phase. 

Following overwhelming support to a consultation where the Council asked the public if we should invest another $150 million to progress to the design and construction phase, the Council approved the $683 million project to proceed on 14 July 2022.

Australian-based stadium construction experts, BESIX Watpac, were appointed as the lead contractor for the project.

Construction of the project began in 2022, and the stadium was delivered on time and within budget, with the official opening ceremony taking place on 27 March 2026.

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Around 4,000 people worked on the Te Kaha Project, delivering around 2.4 million work hours. Learn more about some of the team in the profiles below.

Brent Leversedge

Site Foreman, Faulks Investments Ltd 

Day to day I… look after a crew and make sure we’re getting as much work done as possible. I’ve been on site since day dot, so about 3.5 years. We started by digging out and preparing for the concrete for the stands. Now we’re doing all the civil works around the outside of the stadium. At the moment we’re prepping for the last pathways to be poured at the north end. 

Past projects: I’ve worked on the Northern Corridor, the Southern Motorway, the Silverstream subdivision out in Kaiapoi.  

The best part of my job is… working with everyone on site. I’ve made some really good friendships. This is an unreal project, it’ll be a buzz when it opens. 

Outside of work I… love motorsport. My son races speedway. 

Richard Gibbs

Senior Project Manager in the Parks unit at Christchurch City Council.

Day to day I… am now focused almost entirely on the completion of the field of play. My work includes assisting with the setting up of equipment, machinery and turf management operational systems that will be needed once our own staff take over the management of the field of play.

Past projects: Since returning to NZ in early 2021, I have worked on the redevelopment of Lancaster Park and the Lyttelton Recreation Ground, as well as being overall responsible for the planning and delivery of the Council’s capital sports turf projects and programmes for the city’s high-performance and community facilities. Previously, I have worked on multiple stadium projects in NZ and overseas, including the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and stadiums in Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.

The best part of my job is… working with a great team of supportive colleagues, seeing past students rise to positions of great responsibility within the turf profession and seeing the enjoyment on the faces of players, spectators and stakeholders when they start to use a new facility for the first time.

Outside of work I… enjoy tinkering on my lifestyle block with my wife, playing music (the live version) and indulging in the quirky form of English folk dance known as Morris dancing.

Brendan Dobier

Supervisor at Alloyfold 

Day to day I… install the stadium seating. This involved drilling around 15,000 holes, installing about 18km of railing and the 25,000 permanent seats. 

The best part of my job is… I like that it’s physical and I like being on the tools. 

Past projects: I worked on the Canterbury Museum rebuild, jacking up the building. 

Outside of work I… like watching motorsport and living the family life. 

Caleb Hansen

Site Supervisor for Fabritecture

Day to day I…oversee three subcontractors and all the work they’re undertaking. I also have a crew of my own. We install high tensile fabric structures, predominantly in roofs. We work all around the world on all types of structures. 

At the stadium there are two parts of the roof we’re working on, the ETFE pillows and the ETFE cassettes at the northern end of the site.  

Past projects: I’ve worked on the metro sports facility, which was a big job. On a smaller scale, the cricket pavilion at Elmwood Park, there’s quite a cool structure there. Another job was at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, which has the same system we have here at the stadium.

The best part of my job is…I just like working alongside all the subcontractors, seeing everyone get along and get good progress happening. 

Outside of work I…like going hiking, and I do a bit of spear fishing in Kaikoura.  

DeArna McCaskey

AV Technician Installer at Barton Sound

Position: AV Technician Installer at Barton Sound. 

Day to day I... install the speakers within the stadium and in the bowl. There are 16 speaker arrays, each contains 8 to 10 separate speakers. We’re also installing all the TVs throughout the building. On one floor alone, there are 70 screens. There are screens in each corporate room, up and down the hallways, kitchens and players’ changing rooms.  

The best part of my job is... I love just learning. I’m a trainee at the moment learning how to wire up speakers, putting TVs up and getting into something new and exciting. I work with great people that are fun to be around. 

Past projects: This is my first big project. 

Outside of work… I just got back from half a year travelling around Europe. I’m also a Flight Sergeant in the Air Cadets. 

Harrison Smith

Rope Access Technician at Goleman Group. 

Day to day I… hang from ropes to access hard to reach locations. The main projects we’re working on at the moment is the post construction cleaning and installing the smoke baffle around the bowl. This is a PVC material designed to slow the spread of smoke in the event of a fire. 

The best part of my job is... definitely the people. We hire a lot of people from all over the world, and everyone brings diverse skills.  

Past projects: I’ve worked on all sorts of high-rise maintenance and cleaning projects. 

Outside of work I... have two young kids, so I’m always trying to find new ways to keep them entertained and maintain some sort of order around the house. 

Maricris Gudes

Construction Project Manager, Topcoat Specialist Coatings Ltd.

Day to day I... manage the whole scope of the Topcoat coatings project and monitor if progress is on schedule and within budget. We work on painting, epoxy, concrete sealing and waterproofing.  

The best part of my job is… working with other contractors and clients. Working under pressure with the boys and being able to get the work done on time. 

Past projects: the stadium is my second major project, the first was the Dunedin Health Hub. 

Outside of work I… have a ten-month-old daughter and partner who motivate me. 

Leo Chen

Assistant Site Safety Supervisor, Jinggong Steel.

Day to day I... walk around site supervising a team of around 80. I make sure everyone has the right PPE and are following procedures. I check logbooks and gear like the welding gas cylinders.  

The best part of my job is… getting to talk to so many people. I connect with suppliers and machinery technicians, other trades, and lead contractor BESIX Watpac. 

Past projects: This is my first project. I’m learning from so many people. I learn better from people than books. 

Outside of work I… like motorcycling and hiking. 

Stella Banks

Roofing Labourer, Newfield Roofing.

Position: Roofing Labourer, Newfield Roofing.

Day to day I’m... installing the roof in the west stand. This includes drawing up, cutting and laying the flashings, and putting on gutters as well.

The best part of my job is… the people I work with. We have a team of 30. Everyone is good to work with and great people.

Past projects: The team has worked on the UC Teacher College, Naval Point Yacht Club, Turners on Moorhouse Ave, and a barn in Darfield – it’s really varied.

Outside of work I… like sport. I play rugby and do surf lifesaving.

Chelsea Pokaia

Flooring Installer, Floortek Ltd

Day to day... I prepare and install flooring, including carpet, vinyl and timber. The stadium has carpet tiles, and a rubber flooring in the player warm up areas.

The best part of my job... being able to stand back at the end of a job and see it finished. It gives me a sense of pride.

Past projects: We do a lot of residential places, but also larger projects like Youthhub, which has a nice caulk flooring. We travel a bit for work and have done things like hotels in Queenstown.

Outside of work... play guitar and Hula Hoop, circus style.

Odette Urlich

Project Health and Safety Coordinator

Position: Project Health and Safety Coordinator

Day to day... I'm on site about 90% of the day. I'm responsible for making sure people are set up for success, with the right tools for the right job. I'm there to help with solutions, and help the team access whatever they need to succeed. It's not just about reactive safety, but to be there and available to all trades so we can be proactive about safety.

The best part of my job... getting to walk around and interact with everyone on site. I get called 'aunty' a lot. This is by far the coolest project I've worked on in terms of the relationships with the people on the project, what we’re actually building and how awesome it looks – it’s really coming together.

Past projects: I've been working on this project since September 2023. Previously I was involved with the School of Medicine project and the Seascape project, which is the tallest residential tower in the country.

Outside of work... I love camping. My husband and I recently bought a camper trailer and enjoy getting out there, hunting for gemstones and things like that. 

Paul Smyth

Senior Safety Manager, Southbase.

Day to day I… arrange upcoming works to make sure the job runs smoothly. I'm on site about 65% of the time, and in the office the rest.

The best part of my job... seeing a project through from start to finish, and working with the BESIX crew and the talented subs and people on site. I enjoy the everyday camaraderie. 

Past projects: I've been in New Zealand for 30 years and I've worked on projects like the BNZ Centre, schools, and Wigram Airforce Museum. 

Outside of work... I golf, fish, hunt deer.

Reece Hayman

Foreman Roofer at Graham Hill Roofing.

Position: Foreman Roofer at Graham Hill Roofing.

Day to day I… work on the wall cladding team. My main task is helping out the team and making sure everything is installed right the first time, as there's no room for error. This is the first time I've worked on a pattern - usually we'd be installing a solid colour. We get a coded map, with each sheet numbered. Every sheet has to line up to the millimeter so the pattern joins up properly.

The best part of my job... looking at the end result. We put up three bays yesterday and it's hard to see when you're working up close because the pattern is on such a big scale, but when you stand back at the end of the day it's satisfying.

Past projects: We've worked on the Convention Centre, a few schools and the cardboard cathedral.

Outside of work... I've got a one and a half year old daughter that's my world.

John Alojado

Brush painter, Cake Commercial Services.

Day to day I… do a few different jobs including application of fire rated paint, and the polyurethane coat for finishing touches. I also waterblast before painting.

The best part of my job... meeting different people on site, talking with them and learning what they do for their daily jobs.

Past projects: I worked at Parakiore for one year. I’ve spent a year so far working at the stadium.

Outside of work... I am a home person. I like watching movies and series on Netflix, and documentaries.

Ben Stuart

Site Manager, The Connect Group.

Day to day I… look after both the workers and client, making sure everyone has everything they need, whether it’s gear, materials or labour. We have 12 people working on site grouting the connections between the steel and concrete, sealing, installing waterproof membranes, and doing a bit of concrete cutting.

The best part of my job: I really enjoy the pressure, it keeps me thinking and on my toes. When I solve a problem, it gives me a huge boost.

Past projects: I ran the work on the Ryman Retirement Village in Riccarton. I’ve also recently worked on a restoration project at 96 Lichfield Street.

Outside of work... I do competitive cheerleading with the University of Canterbury team. I also like gymnastics and circus aerials. Working on my house keeps me busy too.

Shayne Johnston

Supervisor, Scott Structural Steel.

Day to day I… install structural steel. All the concrete seating plats in the bowl structure are sitting on this steel. We’ll be finishing that area shortly. 

Best part of my job is: working with mates and people I meet on the job. 

Past projects: Some big projects I’ve worked on include the Convention Centre and a library in Marlborough. 

Outside of work… I’m busy with family, the kids, wife and golf.  

Richard Clio

Site Manager, Alpha South.

Day to day I… work with my team on the interiors of the stands. We’re installing walls, ceilings skirting and doorways in the corporate boxes and stands. 

The best part of my job is working with other trades. It makes me better, expanding my knowledge. 

Past projects: I’ve worked on the Convention Centre, hospital, and a school in Belfast. 

Outside of work… I’m a dad and enjoy hiking and fishing – even though I never catch anything, I still love it! 

Adrian Jones 

Project Director and Contractors Rep.

Day to day... I’m responsible for delivery of the project for BESIX Watpac. Ultimately I am responsible for everything associated with the construction of the project, whilst being the contractual point of contact between BESIX Watpac and Council. A typical day is varied, providing leadership to the project team and keeping the Council informed every step of the way.  

The best part of my job: Working with a very talented and dedicated team, and seeing what such a high performing team can deliver as well as the challenges they can overcome.

Everyone’s excited to be working on this project and it’s not often you work on a project that the community is also excited about. 

Past projects: I’ve worked on projects in Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin and now New Zealand. Of note, the redevelopment of an entire TAFE college in Brisbane, which spread across two city blocks. Also, a major hospital redevelopment project in Brisbane and an liquified natural gas plant in Darwin. 

Outside of work I... like spending time with my family, getting out and seeing the sights of New Zealand, seeing as we’ve moved here fairly recently. 

Brian Hayes

Project Director – Construction NZ.

Day to day... I work within a large team on the build side of the project. My job involves managing the team, forecasting ahead, and working on mitigation strategies for anything that comes up. 

The best part of my job: I always wanted to work in construction, so I’m really enjoying what I do. I like being with people and trying to get the best out of them. 

Past projects: I worked on the North Queensland Stadium, the home of the Cowboys. It’s great to work on a project that you can come back to and enjoy. I’ve also worked on some high-end residential developments on the river in Queensland. 

Outside of work... I like to keep fit with a bit of cross fit, a bit of mountain biking and keeping my kids occupied.  

Phil Riding

Services Site Manager.

Day to day: I work with all services trades, like electricians and plumbers, to plan and programme in the work. There's a lot of forecasting and anticipating any issues that might come up and problem solving. 

The best part of my job is: the satisfaction of seeing progress from week to week, and being part of making it happen. 

Past projects: I've worked on the Court Theatre, a few schools, and the new workshop and office block for the Lyttelton straddle cranes.

Outside of work: I'm a volunteer firefighter for the Spencerville Volunteer Fire Brigade. We were involved in the response to the recent Port Hills fires. I was working 12 hour shifts, looking for any hotspots. It was great to have the support of BESIX to be able to go out and do this work. 

Jenny Divers

Construction Survey Lead, Graham Surveying.

Day to day: I'm in charge of all the survey work on site. Basically, we bring the designer's vision to life by building a full 3D model which shows where everything should go. The steel is manufactured to these specifications. Once it's built, my team also does quality assurance to make sure everything is right.

I've been on site right from the beginning of the project, working through the stages of piling, foundations, hold down bolts, and the bowl structure. We're now working on the roof stage.

The best part of my job is: Having the opportunity to work indoors and outdoors. I get a really nice mix of being on site and in the office with the team. It's also great getting to work with people from all different backgrounds and specialities. I've learnt so much about other trades and seeing how all the elements come together.

Past projects: I've worked all over Queensland doing construction surveying, including working on a new runway at Brisbane Airport, and high-rise residential buildings in Brisbane. 

Outside of work: I have a three-year-old daughter, so lots of time is spent on family trips to the beach or park. I'm also into smoking meat and craft beer, and we're in the middle of some home renovations. 

The Te Kaha Project concluded in April 2026 and the new stadium was officially handed over to operators Venues Ōtautahi (VŌ). 

VŌ is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). Established over 25 years ago, VŌ owns the Christchurch Town Hall and Wolfbrook Arena, is responsible for the operation and asset management of One New Zealand Stadium(external link), and manages the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Apollo Projects Stadium and Hagley Oval.

To stay in the loop on everything coming up at One New Zealand Stadium, sign up to receive newsletters from the team at Venues Ōtautahi.

Neighbouring residents

If you live near the stadium, you can stay up to date about events, projects and traffic management plans which may affect you by signing up for resident-focused updates from Venues Ōtautahi(external link).

Business operators

If you operate a business near the stadium, the team at Venues Ōtautahi is keen to work with you. Register your interest in the One New Zealand Stadium Commercial Forum Group(external link) to receive updates.

General stadium events and news

Venues Ōtautahi has launched a newsletter to keep everyone in the loop about all the exciting events and activities happening. Sign up for One NZ Stadium updates(external link).

Te Kaha Project information

If you have questions about the construction project, please feel free to email them to info@tekahaproject.co.nz, and we will respond as soon as possible.